Also known as: TRX-2, TRX2
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The Whistler TRX-2 is the base/mobile version of the TRX-1: a digital scanner that decodes P25 Phase I and II, DMR, and NXDN — all included at no extra fee, an advantage over Uniden where DMR/NXDN are often paid keys.1 It shares the TRX-1’s object-oriented EZ-Scan software and USA/Canada database, and the same fair simulcast performance — a conventional front end, not True I/Q.
Key takeaways Base/mobile TRX. Same modes as the TRX-1 in a desk/vehicle unit — mains or 12 V. DMR + NXDN included with P25, no paid keys. Fair simulcast — not True I/Q; the SDS200 wins on harsh simulcast. ~$600. No encryption decode. Free path: SDR + GopherTrunk.
Overview
The TRX-2 is Whistler’s flagship base/mobile scanner and the rival to Uniden’s SDS200 and BCD536HP. It is electrically the same radio as the handheld TRX-1 — identical modes, identical EZ-Scan object-oriented programming — but packaged for a desk or dashboard with mains/12 V power, a larger display, and GPS support for location-based scanning.
Its strength is mode inclusion: DMR and NXDN are built in. Its weakness is the front end — conventional, not True I/Q — so on distorted Phase II simulcast it is only fair.
Modes & systems it decodes
- P25 Phase I & II — conventional and trunked.
- DMR and NXDN — included at no extra cost.
- Motorola, EDACS, LTR analog trunking and conventional analog FM.
- Cannot decode encryption — AES talkgroups show but stay silent, as on every receiver.
Simulcast caveat. In a heavy simulcast metro the TRX-2 can garble where an SDS200 locks. Confirm whether your P25 system is simulcast.
Programming
As with the TRX-1, everything is built in EZ-Scan on a PC against the USA/Canada database, then moved to the radio on a microSD card. The object-oriented model makes large multi-system setups manageable, and an optional GPS receiver enables location-based system selection for mobile use.
GopherTrunk alternative
The TRX-2 is a capable base scanner with a strong mode set for the money. But it is one receiver with a fair front end, and its logging is basic.
GopherTrunk is the free, open-source alternative — and since the TRX-2 already lives on a desk near a computer, the trade-off is smaller than for a handheld. A ~$30 RTL-SDR (or a better front end for simulcast) decodes the same P25, DMR, and NXDN, follows unlimited systems at once, and records, logs, and timestamps every call to a web console you can reach remotely. Its software CMA equalizer also handles many simulcast systems the TRX-2 struggles with. The TRX-2 keeps a turnkey, no-PC-required experience and FCC certification. See police scanner vs GopherTrunk, or download GopherTrunk to try it.
Who it’s for
- Buy the TRX-2 for a base/mobile with P25 plus included DMR/NXDN, where your systems aren’t harsh simulcast. View on Amazon →
- Buy the SDS200 instead in a simulcast metro where decode quality is critical.
- Buy the TRX-1 for the handheld version.
- Skip it for a free SDR + GopherTrunk if you want unlimited channels, recording, and logging on the PC that’s already on your desk.
Bottom line
The Whistler TRX-2 is the base/mobile value pick for monitoring DMR/NXDN alongside P25 without paid upgrade keys. Choose it when simulcast isn’t a problem; step up to the SDS200 or lean on GopherTrunk when it is — and remember no receiver decodes encryption.
Sources
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Whistler TRX-2 product page — Whistler Group, on included P25 Phase I/II, DMR, and NXDN modes, object-oriented programming, EZ-Scan software, and base/mobile form factor. ↩
Frequently asked questions
Does the Whistler TRX-2 include DMR and NXDN?
Yes. P25 Phase I/II, DMR, and NXDN are all built in at no extra fee — the same mode set as the handheld TRX-1. On many Uniden scanners DMR and NXDN are paid upgrades, so the TRX-2 can be the better value for those modes.
What is the difference between the TRX-2 and TRX-1?
The decode engine, modes, and EZ-Scan software are identical. The TRX-2 is the base/mobile unit — mains or 12V power, made to sit on a desk or mount in a vehicle — while the TRX-1 is the battery-powered handheld.
How does the TRX-2 handle simulcast?
Fair, not great — it is a conventional digital receiver, not True I/Q. On harsh P25 Phase II simulcast the Uniden SDS200 decodes better, and GopherTrunk’s software equalizer also handles many simulcast systems the TRX-2 struggles with.
TRX-2 or Uniden SDS200?
Buy the TRX-2 for included DMR/NXDN and lower cost when your systems aren’t harsh simulcast. Buy the SDS200 if you’re in a simulcast metro and want the best possible decode from its True I/Q front end.
Can the TRX-2 record audio?
Yes, it can record to the microSD card. For comprehensive, timestamped logging of every call across many systems, though, a PC-based GopherTrunk setup is far more capable.
Does the TRX-2 decode encryption?
No. No scanner and no SDR — including GopherTrunk — can decode AES-encrypted traffic. The TRX-2 identifies the talkgroup but plays silence on encrypted calls.